The Nugg Doctor follows the Denver Nuggets exclusively and sometimes provides glimpses back into some classic NBA and ABA historical moments. He is constantly compiling knowledge to his NBA IQ. He is always looking for more ways to amaze his fans with his eclectic knowledge. Don't see your favorite pro? No sweat, just request that the Nugg Doctor writes up an article on them so they aren't forgotten! Be sure to check the archives for legends your memory might need some refreshing on.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Today's (and Yesterday's) Date in NBA History

(Boulder-CO) Today's date is March 25th, and on this day (and Yesterday's date):

March 24, 1969 Baltimore’s Wes Unseld became only the second rookie ever--Wilt Chamberlain was the other in 1960--to be named the season’s MVP. Unseld, also named NBA Rookie of the Year, led the Bullets into the playoffs, averaging 13.8 ppg and 18.2 rpg.

March 24, 1969 Elvin Hayes of San Diego became the first rookie since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959-60 to lead the league in scoring, with 2,327 points for a 28.4 average.

March 24, 1970 Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers won his first and only scoring title, accumulating 2,309 points in 74 games for a 31.2 ppg average.

March 24, 1973 Kansas City-Omaha’s Nate “Tiny” Archibald became the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring (34.0 ppg) and assists (11.4 apg) in the same season.

March 24, 1981 New York Knicks great Dave DeBusschere’s uniform #22 was retired in ceremonies at Madison Square Garden.

March 24, 1996 Toronto’s Damon Stoudamire sets an NBA rookie record for three-pointers made in a season with 126 (breaking Dennis Scott’s record of 125), after sinking six shots from behind the arc against Chicago during the Raptors’ 109-108 victory in front of 36,131 fans at SkyDome. Stoudamire finished the season with 133.

March 24, 1999 The Seattle SuperSonics retired the number 10 jersey of Nate McMillan in ceremonies at KeyArena.

March 24, 2001 Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz swished a free throw with 10:48 remaining in the third quarter of Utah’s 119-93 win over the Washington Wizards at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The free throw enabled Karl Malone to pass Moses Malone and become the NBA’s all-time leader in free throws made with 8,532.

March 24, 2002 The 2002 NBDL Playoffs began when the North Charleston Lowgators hosted the Mobile Revelers at the North Charleston Coliseum. Mobile won the first NBDL Playoff game, 78-75.

March 25, 1973 The Philadelphia 76ers posted the worst mark in NBA history at 9-73 with Roy Rubin (4-47) and Kevin Loughery (5-26) splitting the coaching chores.

March 25, 1975 Golden State collected a then NBA record 25 steals in a 139-122 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Oakland Coliseum. The Warriors would tie their own record in a game against San Antonio February 15, 1989. Both Warriors teams were supplanted in the record book when Seattle garnered 27 steals against Toronto on January 15, 1997.

March 25, 1978 After defeating Buffalo 112-106 at home, the Phoenix Suns set an NBA record for steals in a season with 1,059.